A FORMER Accrington man is hoping to recreate the classic film The Italian Job – and raise money for our Aspire appeal.

Edward Wearing, formerly of Burnley Road, is taking part in the annual Staples2Naples banger rally, in which entrants must take an old car and navigate it from Calais to Naples in a 1,500-mile round trip.

Edward now lives in Simonstone where his family run the Simonstone Hotel, and along with five regulars at the pub he will set off for the rally on 16 September.

They predict it will take around five days to complete.

Edward’s twist on the event is that he and five friends will recreate The Italian Job by driving three classic Minis, with two members per car.

The team already has two Minis and is now searching for a third to complete the fleet. Businesses are being sought to sponsor the team in return for an advertisement placed on the car.

On the team’s return, the Minis will be sold off, with proceeds going to our appeal to save the Accrington Pals Memorial Chapel.

Edward said "My girlfriend and I went to St John’s School which is connected to the church so we want to help it along in the hope of getting married there. It’s something that is very close to our hearts."

Girlfriend Georgina Haworth will not be joining him on the rally, but will be supporting the team from home while looking after the couple’s children.

Edward, who used to work at the Spar petrol station on Burnley Road, is hoping that with the help of businesses he can raise around £1,500 in order to purchase and repair the third Mini.

He hopes to eventually raise between £1,000 and £2,000 for the Pals fund. He said: "My new friends in Simonstone have already done the rally a couple of times, but The Italian Job theme was my idea. I love the film but it has to be the original. Michael Caine was superb."

For information, visit www.staples2naples.com, or businesses wishing to sponsor Edward and his team can contact him on 0784 949-3536.